Heat-transfer fluids and use thereof in countercurrent heat exchangers

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a ternary composition comprising difluoromethane, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and a hydrocarbon-derived compound containing at least two fluorine atoms and having a boiling point of between −30 and −20° C., which is selected from 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. This composition is particularly suitable for use as a heat-transfer fluid in the presence of countercurrent heat exchangers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heat-transfer fluids suitable for use in countercurrent heat exchangers.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Fluids based on fluorocarbon compounds are widely used in vapor-compression heat-transfer systems, in particular air conditioning, heat pump, refrigeration and freezing devices. These devices have in common the fact that they are based on a thermodynamic cycle comprising the vaporization of the fluid at low pressure (in which the fluid absorbs heat); the compression of the vaporized fluid up to a high pressure; the condensation of the vaporized fluid to liquid at high pressure (in which the fluid releases heat); and the expansion of the fluid in order to complete the cycle.

Vapor compression heat-transfer systems comprise at least two heat exchangers, one in which the fluid vaporizes, and the other in which it condenses. Heat exchangers may be of cocurrent type or of countercurrent type.

The choice of a heat-transfer fluid (which may be a pure compound or a mixture of compounds) is dictated, on the one hand, by the thermodynamic properties of the fluid, and on the other hand, by additional constraints. Thus, one particularly important criterion is that of the impact of the fluid considered on the environment. In particular, chlor rated compounds (chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons) have the disadvantage of damaging the ozone layer. Henceforth, generally non-chlorinated compounds such as hydrofluorocarbons, fluoroethers and fluoroolefins are therefore preferred to them.

Heat-transfer fluids currently used are HFC-134a, R404a (ternary mixture of 52% of HFC-143a, 44% of HFC-125 and 4% HFC-134a), R407c (ternary mixture of 52% of HFC-134a, 25% of HFC-125 and 23% of HFC-32) and R410a (binary mixture of 50% of HFC-32 and 50% of HFC-125).

It is, however, necessary to develop other heat-transfer fluids that have a global warming potential (GWP) lower than that of the fluids above, and that have equivalent or improved performance levels.

Document. WO 2007/002625 describes compositions based on fluoro olefins, and in particular on HFO-1234yf or on HFO-1234ze, in various uses, and in particular as heat-transfer fluids. The document does not specify the type of heat exchanger used.

Document WO 2007/126414 describes generally a large variety of fluoroolefin-based compositions and a large variety of uses of these compositions. The document does not specify the type of heat exchanger used.

Documents WO 2009/107364, WO 2009/110228 and WO 2009/116282 describe refrigeration apparatuses in which the refrigerants used are mixtures based on HFO-1234yf and on HFC-32, optionally supplemented or replaced with other compounds, such as HFC-125. The type of heat exchanger used is not specified.

Document US 2009/0158771 describes the use of a ternary mixture comprising HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFO-1243zf, in a heat transfer application. The coefficients of performance that are obtained are lower than those of the fluid taken as reference, namely HFC-134a. The type of heat exchanger used is not specified.

Document WO 2009/150763 describes an air-conditioning apparatus with a countercurrent heat exchanger, in which the heat-transfer fluid is a mixture of an HFO-1234 and of HFC-32 or of HFC-41.

Document WO 2010/000993 describes the use of a ternary mixture comprising HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and HFC-134a, as a heat-transfer fluid. The document does not specify the type of heat exchanger used.

Document WO 2010/000994 describes the use of a ternary mixture comprising HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and HFC-152a, as a heat-transfer fluid. The document does not specify the type of heat exchanger used.

However, there is still a need to develop other heat-transfer fluids that have a relatively low GWP and that have good energy performance levels, in particular in applications using countercurrent heat exchangers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates firstly to a ternary composition comprising difluoromethane, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and a hydrocarbon-derived compound containing at least two fluorine atoms and having a boiling point, of between −30 and −20°, which is selected from 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to one embodiment, the composition comprises difluoromethane, 1,1-difluoroethane and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, preferably from 2 to 96% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 96% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 2 to 96% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and particularly preferably:

-   -   from 25 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 15 to 73% of tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 35 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 40 to 63% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 65 to 96% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 20% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 2 to 25% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 5         to 25% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 20% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 85% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 10 to 96% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 50         to 93% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 20 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 65% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 25 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 15% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 35         to 73% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 65 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 65 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 33% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to another embodiment, the composition comprises difluoromethane, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, preferably from 2 to 96% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 96% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 2 to 96% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and particularly preferably:

-   -   from 5 to 70% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 20 to 60% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 70% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 55% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 50% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 96% of         difluoromethane and from 2 to 40% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 25% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 2 to 20% of         difluoromethane and from 10 to 83% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 10 to 75% of         2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 5 to 15% of difluoromethane and         from 10 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 15 to 70% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 65% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 10 to 70% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 45% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 90% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 45% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 30% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to another embodiment, the composition comprises difluoromethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, preferably from 2 to 96% of difluoromethane, from to 96% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 2 to 96% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and particularly preferably:

-   -   from 20 to 60% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 60% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 25 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 70% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 25% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 88% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 93% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 25 to 90% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 15 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 65% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 80% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 15 to 35% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 55% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 25% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to another embodiment, the composition comprises from 70 to 98% of difluoromethane, from 1 to 28% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 1 to 15% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to one embodiment, the composition comprises from 80 to 98% of difluoromethane, from 1 to 18% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 1 to 12% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

The invention also relates to the use of the abovementioned composition, as a heat-transfer fluid in a vapor compression circuit.

According to one embodiment, the vapor compression circuit comprises a countercurrent heat exchanger.

The invention also relates to a heat-transfer composition comprising the abovementioned composition as heat-transfer fluid, and one or more additives selected from lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescent agents, odorous agents, solubilizing agents and mixtures thereof.

The invention also relates to heat-transfer equipment comprising a vapor compression circuit containing the abovementioned composition as heat-transfer fluid or containing the abovementioned heat-transfer composition.

According to one embodiment, the equipment comprises a countercurrent heat exchanger.

According to one embodiment, the equipment is selected from mobile or stationary equipment for heating via a heat pump, for air conditioning, for refrigeration and for freezing.

The invention also relates to a process for heating or cooling a fluid or a body by means of a vapor compression circuit containing a heat-transfer fluid, said process successively comprising the evaporation of the heat-transfer fluid, the compression of the heat-transfer fluid, the condensation of the heat fluid and the expansion of the heat-transfer fluid, in which the heat-transfer fluid is the composition according to the invention.

According to one embodiment, the abovementioned process is a process for cooling a fluid or a body, in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from −40° C. to −10° C., and preferably from −35° C. to −25° C., more particularly preferably from −30° C. to −20° C., and in which the heat-transfer fluid comprises:

-   -   from 25 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 15 to 73% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 35 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 40         to 63% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 70% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 20 to 60% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 70% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 55% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 20 to 60% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 60% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 25 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 70% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 65 to 96% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 20% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 2 to 25% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 5         to 25% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 50% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 96% of         difluoromethane and from 2 to 40% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 25% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to one embodiment, the abovementioned process is a process for cooling a fluid or a body, in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from −15° C. to 15° C., and preferably from −10° C. to 10° C., more particularly preferably from −5° C. to 5° C., and in which the heat-transfer fluid comprises:

-   -   from 2 to 20% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 85% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 10 to 96% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 50         to 93% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 2 to 20% of         difluoromethane and from 10 to 83% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 10 to 75% of         2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 5 to 15% of difluoromethane and         from 10 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 25% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 88% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 93% of         tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of difluoromethane,         from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 25 to 90% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 20 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 65% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 25 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 15% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 35         to 73% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 15 to 70% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 65% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 10 to 70% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 15 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 65% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 80% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 15 to 35% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 55% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 65 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 33% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 5         to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 45% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 90% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 45% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 30% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 25% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to one embodiment, the abovementioned process is a process for heating a fluid or a body, in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body heated is from 30° C. to 80° C., and preferably from 35° C. to 55° C., more particularly preferably from 40° C. to 50° C., in which the heat-transfer fluid comprises:

-   -   from 2 to 20% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 85% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 10 to 96% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 50         to 93% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 2 to 20% of         difluoromethane and from 10 to 83% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 10 to 75% of         2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 5 to 15% of difluoromethane and         from 10 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 25% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 88% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 93% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 25 to 90% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 20 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 65% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 23 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 15% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 35         to 73% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 15 to 70% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 65% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 10 to 70% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 15 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 65% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 80% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 15 to 35% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 55% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 65 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 33% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 5         to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 45% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 90% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 45% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 30% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 25% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

The invention also relates to a process for reducing the environmental impact of heat-transfer equipment comprising a vapor compression circuit containing an initial heat-transfer fluid, said process comprising a step of replacing the initial heat-transfer fluid in the vapor compression circuit with a final transfer fluid, the final transfer fluid having a GWP lower than the initial heat-transfer fluid, in which the final heat-transfer fluid is a composition according to the invention.

According to one embodiment of said process for reducing the environmental impact, the initial heat-transfer fluid is a ternary mixture of 52% of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 44% of pentafluoroethane and 4% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or a ternary mixture of 52% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 25% of pentafluoroethane and 23% of difluoromethane, and in which the final heat-transfer fluid comprises;

-   -   from 25 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 15 to 73% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 40         to 63% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 70% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 20 to 60% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 70% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 55% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 20 to 60% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 60% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 25 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 70% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 20 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 65% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to 78% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 25 to 50% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 15% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 35         to 73% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 15 to 70% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 65% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 25 to         50% of difluoromethane and from 10 to 70% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 15 to 50% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 65% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 80% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 15 to 35% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 55% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 10 to 80% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to another embodiment of said process for reducing environmental impact, the initial heat-transfer fluid is a binary mixture of 50% of difluoromethane and 50% of pentafluoroethane, and in which the final heat-transfer fluid comprises:

-   -   from 65 to 96% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 20% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 2 to 25% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 5         to 25% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 50% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 96% of         difluoromethane and from 2 to 40% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 25% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroethane, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 65 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 30% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 5 to of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 65 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of         1,1′-difluoroethane and from 5 to 33% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 45% of 2,3,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene, from 50 to 90% of         difluoromethane and from 5 to 45% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene,         ideally from 5 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 65 to         90% of difluoromethane and from 5 to 30% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 50 to 93% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 45% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 5 to 48% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 65 to 93% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 25% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 5 to 33% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

According to another embodiment of said process for reducing environmental impact, the initial heat-transfer fluid is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and in which the final heat-transfer fluid comprises:

-   -   from 2 to 20% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 85% of         1,1-difluoroethane and from 10 to 96% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 2 to 35% of 1,1-difluoroethane and from 50         to 93% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 5 to 75% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 2 to 20% of         difluoromethane and from 10 to 83% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 10 to 75% of         2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, from 5 to 15% of difluoromethane and         from 10 to 75% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; or     -   from 2 to 25% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 88% of         1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from 10 to 93% of         1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, ideally from 5 to 15% of         difluoromethane, from 5 to 60% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and         from 25 to 90% of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

The present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. It provides more particularly heat-transfer fluids that have a relatively low GWP and that have good energy performance levels, in particular in applications using countercurrent heat exchangers.

This is accomplished by virtue of ternary mixtures comprising HFO-1234ze and HFC-32, the rest making up the mixtures being selected from HFO-152a, HFO-1234yf and HFC-134a. These three compounds are hydrocarbon-based molecules which have at least two fluorine substituents and a boiling point of between −30° C. and −18° C. HFC-152a has a boiling point of −24° C., HFO-1234yf has a boiling point of −29° C. and HFC-134a has a boiling point of −26° C.

The ternary mixtures above have the particularity of exhibiting good energy performance levels, in particular with countercurrent heat exchangers.

According to some particular embodiments, the invention also has one or preferably more of the advantageous characteristics listed below.

-   -   The heat-transfer fluids of the invention have a coefficient of         performance which is higher than the reference refrigerants         R404a, R407c, HFC-134a and R410a in applications involving a         countercurrent heat exchanger. In certain cases, the capacity of         the heat-transfer fluids is greater than or equal to that of the         reference refrigerants, in these same applications.         Correspondingly, the invention makes it possible to reduce the         GWP of existing systems comprising one of the above reference         refrigerants, without being detrimental to the performance         levels of these systems, and, on the contrary, while improving         them to a large extent, by replacing the reference refrigerants         with the heat-transfer fluids of the invention.     -   The heat-transfer fluids of the invention have a coefficient of         performance which is higher than that of the         HFO-1243zf/HFC-134a/HFC-32 mixture such as is used in document         US 2009/0158771.     -   The heat-transfer fluids of the invention are less inflammable         and/or more effective than those used in document WO         2009/150763.

According to the invention, the global warming potential (GWP) is defined relative to carbon dioxide and with respect to a period of 100 years, according to the method indicated in “The scientific assessment of ozone depletion, 2002, a report of the World Meteorological Association's Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project”.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention is now described in greater detail and in a non-limiting manner in the description which follows.

The term “heat-transfer compound”, respectively “heat-transfer fluid” (or refrigerant fluid) is intended to mean a compound, respectively a fluid, capable of absorbing heat by evaporating at low temperature and low pressure and of releasing heat by condensing at high temperature and high pressure, in a vapor compression circuit. Generally, a heat-transfer fluid may comprise just one, or two, three or more than three heat-transfer compounds.

The term “heat-transfer composition” is intended to mean a composition comprising a heat-transfer fluid and, optionally, one or more additives which are not heat-transfer compounds for the envisioned application.

The heat transfer process according to the invention is based on the use of equipment comprising a vapor compression circuit which contains a heat-transfer fluid. The heat-transfer process may be a process for heating or cooling a fluid or body.

The vapor compression circuit containing a heat-transfer fluid comprises at least one evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve, and also is for transporting heat-transfer fluid between these components. The evaporator and the condenser comprise a heat exchanger making it possible to exchange heat between the heat-transfer fluid and another fluid or body.

By way of compressor, use may in particular be made of a centrifugal compressor having one or more stages or a centrifugal mini-compressor. Rotary compressors, reciprocating compressors or screw compressors can also be used. The compressor may be driven by an electric motor or by a gas turbine (for example fed with the exhaust gases of a vehicle, for mobile applications), or by gearing.

The equipment may comprise a turbine for generating electricity (Rankine cycle).

The equipment may also optionally comprise at least one coolant circuit used for transmitting heat (with or without a change of state) between the heat-transfer fluid circuit and the fluid or body to be heated or cooled.

The equipment may also optionally comprise two (or more) vapor compression circuits containing identical or distinct heat-transfer fluids. For example, the vapor compression circuits may be coupled together.

The vapor compression circuit operates according to a conventional vapor compression cycle. The cycle comprises the change of state of the heat-transfer fluid from a liquid phase or liquid/vapor two phase state) to a vapor phase at a relatively low pressure, then the compression of the fluid in the vapor phase up to a relatively high pressure, the change of state (condensation) of the heat-transfer fluid from the vapor phase to the liquid phase at a relatively high pressure, and the reduction of the pressure in order to recommence the cycle.

In the case of a cooling process, heat from the fluid or from the body that is being cooled (directly or indirectly, via a coolant) is absorbed by the heat-transfer fluid, during the evaporation of the latter, at a relatively low temperature compared with the surroundings. The cooling processes include air-conditioning processes (with mobile equipment, for example in vehicles, or stationary equipment), refrigeration processes and freezing processes or cryogenic processes.

In the case of a heating process, heat is imparted (directly or indirectly, via, a coolant) from the heat-transfer fluid, during the condensation thereof, to the fluid or the body that is being heated, at a relatively high temperature compared to the surroundings. The equipment that makes it possible to implement the heat transfer is called, in this case, a “heat pump”.

It is possible to use any type of heat exchanger for using the heat-transfer fluids according to the invention, and in particular cocurrent heat exchangers.

However, according to a preferred embodiment, the invention provides for the cooling and heating processes, and the corresponding equipment, to comprise a countercurrent heat exchanger, said heat exchanger being countercurrent with respect either to the condenser or to the evaporator. Indeed, the heat-transfer fluids according to the invention are particularly effective with countercurrent heat exchangers. Preferably, both the evaporator and the condenser comprise a countercurrent heat exchanger.

According to the invention, the term “countercurrent heat exchanger” is intended to mean a heat exchanger in which the heat is exchanged between a first fluid and a second fluid, the first fluid at the inlet of the exchanger exchanging heat with the second fluid at the outlet of the exchanger, and the first fluid at the outlet of the exchanger exchanging heat with the second fluid at the inlet of the exchanger.

For example, the countercurrent heat exchangers include devices in which the flow of the first fluid and the flow of the second fluid are in opposite directions or virtually opposite directions. Exchangers which operate in cross-current mode with countercurrent tendency are also included among the countercurrent heat exchangers within the meaning of the present application.

The meaning of the various abbreviations used to denote the various chemical compounds mentioned in the application is the following:

-   -   HFC-134a: 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane;     -   HFC-143a: 1,1,1-trifluoroethane;     -   HFC-125: pentafluoroethane;     -   HFC-32: difluoromethane;     -   HFC-152a: 1,1-difluoroethane;     -   HFC-41: fluoromethane;     -   HFO-1234ze: 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene;     -   HFO-1234yf: 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene;     -   HFO-1243zf: 3,3,3-trifluoropropene.

The heat-transfer fluids used in the invention are the following ternary mixtures:

-   -   1) HFC-32, HFC-152a and HFO-1234ze;     -   2) HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze; and     -   3) HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFO-1234ze.

Compositions 2) and 3) have the advantage of being less inflammable than those described in document WO 2009/150763.

The term “ternary mixture” is intended to mean a composition consisting essentially of the three compounds mentioned, i.e. in which the three compounds mentioned represent at least 99% (preferably at least 99.5% or even at least 99.9%) of the composition.

Unless otherwise mentioned, throughout the application, the proportions of compounds indicated are given as percentages by weight.

The HFO-1234ze may be in cis or trans form or be a mixture of these two forms.

In each of the three compositions above, each compound can be present preferably in an amount of from 1 to 99%, and in particular from 1 to 96%.

For use in low-temperature refrigeration processes, i.e. those in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from −40° C. to −10° C., and preferably from −35° C. to −25° C., more particularly preferably from −30° C. to −20° C. (ideally approximately 25° C.) it has been found that the compounds which are most effective as a replacement for R404a or R407c are the following:

-   -   for composition 1) from 25 to 50% of HFC-32, from 2 to 35% of         HFC-152a and from 15 to 73% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from         35 to 50% of HFC-32, from 2 to 10% of HFC-152a and from 40 to         63% of HFO-1234ze;     -   for composition 2): from 5 to 70% of HFO-1234yf, from 20 to 60%         of HFC-32 and from 5 to 75% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 5         to 70% of HFO-1234yf, from 25 to 50% of HFC-32 and from 5 to 55%         of HFO-1234ze; and     -   for composition 3): from 20 to 60% of HFC-32, from 2 to 60% of         HFC-134a and from 5 to 78% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 25         to 50% of HFC-32, from 5 to 60% of HFC-134a and from 10 to 70%         of HFO-1234ze.

For use in low-temperature refrigeration processes, i.e. those in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from −40° C. to −10° C., and, preferably from −35° C. to −25° C., more particularly preferably from −30° C. to 20° C. (ideally approximately −25° it has been found that the compositions which are most effective as a replacement for R410a are the following:

-   -   for composition 1): from 65 to 96% of HFC-32, from 2 to 20% of         HFC-152a and from 2 to 25% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 65         to 93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 10% of HFC-152a and from 5 to 25% of         HFO-1234ze;     -   for composition 2): from 2 to 50% of HFO-1234yf, from 50 to 96%         of HFC-32 and from 2 to 40% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 5         to 30% of HFO-1234yf, from 65 to 90% of HFC-32 and from 5 to 25%         of HFO-1234ze; and     -   for composition 3): from 50 to 93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 45% of         HFC-134a and from 5 to 48% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 65         to 93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 30% of HFC-134a and from 5 to 33% of         HFO-1234ze.

For use in

-   -   moderate-temperature cooling processes, i.e. those in which the         temperature of the fluid or the body cooled is from −15° C. to         15° C., preferably from −10° C. to 10° C., more particularly         preferably from 5° C. to 0.5° C. (ideally approximately 0° C.),         and also     -   moderate-temperature heating processes, i.e. those in which the         temperature of the fluid or of the body heated is from 30° C. to         80° C., and preferably from 35° C. to 55° C., more particularly         preferably from 40° C. to 50° C. (ideally approximately 45° C.),         it has been found that the compositions which are most effective         as a replacement for HFC-134a are the following:     -   for composition 1): from 2 to 20% of HFC-32, from 2 to 85% of         HFC-152a and from 10 to 96% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 5         to 15% of HFC-32, from 2 to 35% of HFC-152a and from 50 to 93%         of HFO-1234ze;     -   for composition 2): from 5 to 75% of HFO-1234yf, from 2 to 20%         of HFC-32 and from 10 to 83% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from         10 to 75% of HFO-1234yf, from 5 to 15% of HFC-32 and from 10 to         75% of HFO-1234ze; and     -   for composition 3): from 2 to 25% of HFC-32, from 5 to 88% of         HFC-134a and from 10 to 93% of HFO-1234ze, and preferably from 5         to 15% of HFC-32, from 5 to 60% of HFC-134a and from 25 to 90%         of HFO-1234ze.

For use in

-   -   moderate-temperature cooling processes, i.e. those in which the         temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from 15° C. to         15° C., preferably from −10° C. to 10° C., more particularly         preferably from 5° C. to 5° C. (ideally approximately 0° C.),         and also     -   moderate-temperature heating processes, i.e. those in which the         temperature of the fluid or of the body heated is from 30° C. to         80° C., and preferably from 35° C. to 55° C., more particularly         preferably from 40° C. to 50° C. (ideally approximately 45° C.),         it has been found that the compositions which are most effective         as a replacement for R404a or for R407c are the following:     -   for composition 1): from 20 to 50% of HFC-32, from 2 to 65% of         HFC-152a and from 5 to 78% of HFO-1234ze, and ideally from 25 to         50% of HFC-32, from 2 to 15% of HFC 152a and from 35 to 73% of         HFC-1234ze;     -   for composition 2) from 5 to 75% of HFO-1234yf, from 15 to 70%         of HFC-32 and from 5 to 80% of HFO-1234ze, and ideally from 5 to         65% of HFO-1234yf, from 25 to 50% of HFC-32 and from 1.0 to 70%         of HFO-1234ze; and     -   for composition 3) from 15 to 50% of HFC-32, from 5 to 65% of         HFC-134a and from 10 to 80% of HFO-1234ze, and ideally from 15         to 35% of HFC-32, from 5 to 55% of HFC-134a and from 10 to 80%         of HFO-1234ze.

For use in:

-   -   moderate-temperature cooling processes, i.e. those in which the         temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from −15° C.         to 15° C., preferably from 10° C. to 10° C., more particularly         preferably from −5° C. to 5° C. (ideally about 0° C.), and also     -   moderate-temperature heating processes, i.e. those in which the         temperature of the fluid or of the body heated is from 30° C. to         80° C., and preferably from 35° C. to 55° C., more particularly         preferably from 40° C. to 50° C. (ideally approximately 45° C.),         it has been found that the compositions which are most effective         as a replacement for R410a are the following:     -   for composition 1): from 65 to 93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 30% of         HFC-152a and from 5 to 33% of HFO-1234ze, and ideally from 65 to         93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 10% of HFC-152a and from 5 to 33% of         HFO-1234ze;     -   for composition 2): from 5 to 45% of HFO-1234yf, from 50 to 90%         of HFC-32 and from 5 to 45% of HFO-1234ze, and ideally from 5 to         30% of HFO-1234yf, from 65 to 90% of HFC-32 and from 5 to 30% of         HFO-1234ze; and     -   for composition 3) from 50 to 93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 45% of         HFC-134a and from 5 to 48% of HFO-1234ze, and ideally from 65 to         93% of HFC-32, from 2 to 25% of HFC-134a and from 5 to 33% of         HFO-1234ze.

In the “low-temperature refrigeration” processes mentioned above, the inlet temperature of the heat-transfer fluid at the evaporator is preferably from −45° C. to −15° C., in particular from −40° C. to −20° C., more particularly preferably from −35° C. to −25° C. and, for example, approximately −30° C.; and the temperature at the beginning of the condensation of the heat-transfer fluid at the condenser is preferably from 25° C. to 80° C., in particular from 30° C. to 60° C., more particularly preferably from 35° C. to 55° C. and, for example, approximately 40° C.

In the “moderate-temperature refrigeration” processes mentioned above, the inlet temperature of the heat-transfer fluid at the evaporator is preferably from −20° C. to 10° C., in particular from −15° C. to 5° C., more particularly preferably from 10° C. to 0° C. and, for example, approximately −5° C.; and the temperature at the beginning of the condensation of the heat-transfer fluid at the condenser is preferably from 25° C. to 80° C., in particular from 30° C. to 60° C., more particularly preferably from 35° C. to 55° C. and, for example, approximately 50° C. These processes may be refrigeration or air-conditioning processes.

In the “moderate-temperature heating” processes mentioned above, the inlet temperature of the heat-transfer fluid at the evaporator is preferably from 20° C. to 10° C., in particular from −15° C. to 5° C., more particularly preferably from −10° C. to 0° C. and, for example, approximately −5° C.; and the temperature at the beginning of the condensation of the heat-transfer fluid at the condenser is preferably from 25° C. to 80° C., in particular from 30° C. to 60° C., more particularly preferably from 35° C. to 55° C. and, for example, approximately 50° C.

In addition, the mixtures having the following formulations are quasi-azeotropic mixtures:

-   -   from 1 to 28% of HFO-1234yf, from 70 to 98% HFC-32 and from 1 to         15% of HFO-1234ze;     -   from 80 to 98% of HFC-32, from 1 to 18% of HFC-134a and from 1         to 12% of HFO-1234ze.

For these heat-transfer fluids, at constant temperature, the liquid saturation pressure and the vapor saturation pressure are virtually identical (the maximum pressure difference being 10%). These heat-transfer fluids have an advantage in terms of ease of use, in the absence of significant temperature glide, there is no significant change in the composition circulating, and no significant change either in the composition in the event of a leak. These heat-transfer fluids are particularly suitable for replacing R410a, for example.

The heat-transfer fluids which are not quasi-azeotropic, for their part, are however very effective when they are correctly coupled with a countercurrent heat exchanger (with a temperature difference with the second fluid which is approximately constant in the exchanger).

Each heat-transfer fluid above can be mixed with one or more additives so as to provide the heat transfer composition actually circulating in the vapor compression circuit. The additives can in particular be selected from lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescent agents, odorous agents, solubilizing agents and mixtures thereof.

When it (they) is (are) present, the stabilizer(s) preferably represent(s) at most 5% by weight in the heat-transfer composition. Among the stabilizers, mention may in particular be made of nitromethane, ascorbic acid, terephthalic acid, azoles such as tolutriazole or benzotriazole, phenolic compounds such as tocopherol, hydroquinone, t-butyl hydroquinone, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, epoxides (alkyl, optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated, or alkenyl or aromatic) such as n-butyl glycidyl ether, hexanediol diglycidyl ether, allyl diglycidyl ether, butylphenyl glycidyl ether, phosphites, phosphonates, thiols and lactones.

By way of lubricants, use may in particular be made of oils of mineral origin, silicone oils, paraffins, naphthenes, synthetic paraffins, alkylbenzenes, poly-α-olefins, polyalkene glycols, polyol esters and/or polyvinyl ethers.

By way of tracers (capable of being detected), mention may be made of hydrofluorocarbons, deuterated hydrofluorocarbons, deuterated hydrocarbons, perfluorocarbons, fluoroethers, brominated compounds, iodinated compounds, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, nitrous oxide and combinations thereof. The tracer is different than the heat-transfer compound (s) making up the heat-transfer fluid.

By way of solubilizing agents, mention may be made of hydrocarbons, dimethyl ether, polyoxyalkylene ethers, amides, ketones, nitriles, chlorocarbons, esters, lactones, aryl ethers, fluoroethers and 1,1,1-trifluoroalkanes. The solubilizing agent is different than the heat-transfer compound(s) making up the heat-transfer fluid.

By way of fluorescent agents, mention may be made of naphthalimides, perylenes, coumarins, anthracenes, phenanthracenes, xanthenes, thioxanthenes, naphthoxanthenes, fluoresceins and derivatives and combinations thereof.

By way of odorous agents, mention may be made of alkyl acrylates, allyl acrylates, acrylic acids, acryl esters, alkyl ethers, alkyl esters, alkynes, aldehydes, thiols, thioethers, disulfides, allyl isothiocyanates, alkanoic acids, amines, norbornenes, norbornene derivatives, cyclohexene, aromatic heterocyclic compounds, ascaridole, o-methoxy(methyl)phenol and combinations thereof.

The compositions according to the invention can also be used as an expansion agent, an aerosol or a solvent.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting it.

Example 1—Method for Calculating the Properties of the Heat-Transfer Fluids in the Various Configurations Envisioned

The RK-Soave equation is used for the calculation of the densities, enthalpies, entropies and liquid/vapor equilibrium data of the mixtures. The use of this equation requires knowledge of the properties of the pure substances used in the mixtures in question and also the interaction coefficients for each binary mixture.

The data necessary for each pure substance are the boiling point, the critical temperature and the critical pressure, the pressure curve as a function of the temperature from the boiling point up to the critical point, and the saturated liquid and saturated vapor densities as a function of the temperature.

The data with regard to HFCs are published in the ASHRAE Handbook 2005, chapter 20, and are also available under Refprop (software developed by NIST for the calculation of the properties of refrigerant fluid).

The HFO temperature-pressure curve data are measured by the static method. The critical temperature and the critical pressure are measured using a C80 calorimeter sold by Setaram. The densities, at saturation as a function of the temperature, are measured by means of the vibrating-tube densimeter technology developed by the laboratories of the école de Mines de Paris [French Engineering School].

The RK-Soave equation uses coefficients of binary interaction to represent the behavior of products in mixtures. The coefficients are calculated according to the experimental liquid/vapor equilibrium data.

The technique used for the liquid/vapor equilibrium measurements is the static analytical cell method. The equilibrium cell comprises a sapphire tube and is equipped with two Rolsitm electromagnetic samplers. It is immersed in a cryothermostat bath (Huber HS40). Magnetic stirring driven by a magnetic field rotating at a variable speed is used to accelerate the reaching of the equilibria. The sample analysis is carried out by gas chromatography (HP5890 series II) using a katharometer (TCD).

The liquid/vapor equilibrium measurements on the binary mixture HFC-32/HFO-1234ze are carried out for the following isotherm: 15° C.

The liquid/vapor equilibrium measurements on the binary mixture HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze are carried out for the following isotherm: 20° C.

The liquid/vapor equilibrium measurements on the binary mixture HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze are carried out for the following isotherm: 15° C.

The liquid/vapor equilibrium measurements on the binary mixture HFC-32/HFO-1234yf are carried out for the following isotherms: 70° C., 30° C., −10° C.

The liquid/vapor equilibrium measurements on the binary mixture HFC-1234ze/HFO-1234yf are carried out for the following isotherm: 18° C.

The liquid/vapor equilibrium data for the binary mixture HFC-152a/HFC-32 are available under Refprop. Two isotherms (−20° C. and 20° C.) and two isobars (1 bar and 25 bar) are used for the calculation of the interaction coefficients for this binary mixture.

The liquid/vapor equilibrium data for the binary mixture HFC-134a/HFC-32 are available under Refprop. Two isotherms (−20° C. and 20° C.) and two isobars (1 bar and 30 bar) are used for the calculation of the interaction coefficients for this binary mixture.

A compression system equipped with a countercurrent evaporator and condenser, with a screw compressor and with an expansion valve is considered.

The system operates with 15° C. of overheat, and 5° C. of undercooling. The minimum temperature difference between the secondary fluid and the refrigerant fluid is considered to be about 5° C.

The isentropic efficiency of the compressors depends on the compression ratio. This efficiency is calculated according to the following equation:

$\begin{matrix} {\eta_{isen} = {a - {{b\left( {\tau - c} \right)}^{2}\frac{d}{\tau - e}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

For a screw compressor, the constants a, b, c, d and e of the isentropic efficiency equation (1) are calculated according to the standard data published in the “Handbook of air conditioning and refrigeration”, page 11.52.

The coefficient of performance (COP) is defined as being the useful power supplied by the system over the power provided or consumed by the system.

The Lorenz coefficient of performance (COPLorenz) is a reference coefficient of performance. It depends on temperatures and is used to compare the COPs of the various fluids.

The Lorenz coefficient of performance is defined as follows (the temperatures T are in K):

$\begin{matrix} {T_{average}^{condenser} = {T_{inlet}^{condenser} - T_{outlet}^{condenser}}} & (2) \\ {T_{average}^{evaporator} = {T_{outlet}^{evaporator} - T_{inlet}^{evaporator}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

The Lorenz COP in the case of conditioned air and of refrigeration is:

$\begin{matrix} {{COPlorenz} = \frac{T_{average}^{evaporator}}{T_{average}^{condenser} - T_{average}^{evaporator}}} & (4) \end{matrix}$

The Lorenz COP in the case of heating is:

$\begin{matrix} {{COPlorenz} = \frac{T_{average}^{condenser}}{T_{average}^{condenser} - T_{average}^{evaporator}}} & (5) \end{matrix}$

For each composition, the coefficient of performance of the Lorenz cycle is calculated as a function of the corresponding temperatures.

In low-temperature refrigeration mode, the compression system operates between an inlet temperature of the refrigerant fluid at the evaporator of −30° C. and an inlet temperature of the refrigerant fluid at the condenser of 40° C. The system provides refrigeration at −25° C.

In moderate-temperature heating mode, the compression system operates between an inlet temperature of the refrigerant fluid at the evaporator of −5° C. and a temperature at the beginning of the condensation of the refrigerant fluid at the condenser of 50° C. The system supplies heat at 45° C.

In moderate-temperature cooling mode, the compression system operates between an inlet temperature of the refrigerant fluid at the evaporator of −5° C. and a temperature at the beginning of the condensation of the refrigerant fluid at the condenser of 50° C. The system provides refrigeration at 0° C.

In the tables that follow, “Temp. evap cutlet” denotes the temperature of the fluid at the outlet of the evaporator, “Temp. comp outlet” denotes the temperature of the fluid at the outlet of the compressor, “T cond outlet” denotes the temperature of the fluid at the outlet of the condenser, “evap P” denotes the pressure of the fluid in the evaporator, “cond P” denotes the pressure of the fluid in the condenser, “Ratio (w/w)” denotes the compression ratio, “Glide” denotes the temperature glide, “comp efficiency” denotes the efficiency of the compressor, “% CAP” denotes the volumetric capacity of the fluid relative to the reference fluid indicated on the first line, “% COP/COPLorenz” denotes the ratio of the COP of the system relative to the COP of the corresponding Lorenz cycle, “Psat liquid” denotes the liquid saturation pressure, “Psat vapor” denotes the vapor saturation pressure, and “% diff in pressure” denotes the difference between these two pressures, expressed as a percentage.

Example 2—Results for a Low-Temperature Refrigeration, Comparison with R404a and R407c

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −30 101 40 2.1 18.1 8.8 0.46 53.8 100 32 R407C −26 131 35 1.7 15.3 9.0 4.48 51.9 108 35 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 134a 1234ze 25 40 35 −24 133 33 1.4 12.8 9.1 5.64 51.1 94 36 35 60 5 −25 144 34 1.7 14.9 8.9 4.97 52.6 111 37 35 50 15 −25 140 34 1.7 14.7 8.8 5.38 53.6 111 37 35 40 25 −24 136 33 1.7 14.4 8.7 5.90 54.5 110 38 35 30 35 −24 132 33 1.6 14.2 8.6 6.44 55.5 110 39 35 20 45 −23 128 32 1.6 13.9 8.5 6.99 56.3 110 40 35 10 55 −22 126 32 1.6 13.6 8.4 7.53 57.0 109 40 50 45 5 −25 153 35 2.0 17.1 8.6 4.83 55.0 130 38 50 35 15 −25 148 34 2.0 16.9 8.5 5.30 56.0 130 39 50 25 25 −24 143 34 2.0 16.6 8.4 5.89 57.1 130 40 50 15 35 −23 139 33 2.0 16.3 8.2 6.52 58.1 131 41 50 5 45 −23 136 32 2.0 16.0 8.1 7.14 59.1 131 41 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −30 101 40 2.1 18.1 8.8 0.46 53.8 100 32 R407C −26 131 35 1.7 15.3 9.0 4.48 51.9 108 35 HFO- HFC- HFO- 1234yf 32 1234ze 70 25 5 −25 103 32 1.8 14.7 8.1 5.27 58.9 107 40 60 25 15 −24 105 32 1.7 14.3 8.2 5.65 58.5 105 39 50 25 25 −24 106 32 1.7 13.8 8.2 6.14 58.4 103 40 40 25 35 −23 107 31 1.6 13.3 8.2 6.62 58.3 102 40 30 25 45 −23 108 31 1.6 12.8 8.3 7.04 58.0 99 40 60 35 5 −25 113 34 2.1 16.6 8.1 5.06 59.5 122 40 50 35 15 −24 114 33 2.0 16.1 8.1 5.63 59.4 120 40 40 35 25 −24 114 32 1.9 15.4 8.0 6.29 59.8 119 41 30 35 35 −23 114 31 1.8 14.8 8.0 6.93 60.0 117 41 20 35 45 −23 116 31 1.8 14.2 8.0 7.46 59.8 115 42 10 35 55 −22 118 31 1.7 13.7 8.1 7.85 59.1 112 42 45 50 5 −26 132 36 2.3 19.3 8.3 3.72 57.9 138 38 35 50 15 −25 132 35 2.3 18.5 8.2 4.66 58.5 137 39 25 50 25 −24 131 34 2.2 17.6 8.1 5.63 59.3 136 40 15 50 35 −24 131 33 2.1 16.8 8.0 6.49 59.8 135 41 5 50 45 −23 133 32 2.0 16.2 8.0 7.17 59.8 132 42 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −30 101 40 2.1 18.1 8.8 0.46 53.8 100 32 R407C −26 131 35 1.7 15.3 9.0 4.48 51.9 108 35 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 152a 1234ze 35 30 35 −24 152 31 1.5 13.2 9.1 6.21 51.3 105 37 35 20 45 −23 140 31 1.5 13.1 8.8 6.96 54.0 106 39 35 10 55 −22 130 31 1.5 13.1 8.5 7.65 56.3 108 40 50 35 15 −24 176 33 1.7 15.7 9.2 5.96 50.4 122 36 50 25 25 −24 162 33 1.8 15.7 8.8 6.39 53.4 125 38 50 15 35 −23 148 32 1.8 15.6 8.4 7.14 56.6 128 40 50 5 45 −22 137 32 1.9 15.7 8.1 7.64 59.0 130 42

Example 3—Results for Low-Temperature Refrigeration, Comparison with R410a

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R410A −30 153 40 2.7 24.2 8.9 0.06 52.5 100 33 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 134a 1234ze 65 30 5 −26 167 36 2.2 19.4 8.6 3.91 55.2 96 38 65 20 15 −26 162 36 2.3 19.1 8.5 4.40 56.1 96 39 65 10 25 −25 157 35 2.3 18.9 8.4 5.07 57.3 97 39 80 15 5 −28 185 38 2.5 21.7 8.7 2.49 54.1 105 37 80 5 15 −27 180 37 2.5 21.5 8.6 3.01 54.9 105 37 90 5 5 −29 199 39 2.6 23.3 8.9 1.34 53.0 110 35 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R410A −30 153 40 2.7 24.2 8.9 0.06 52.5 100 33 HFO- HFC- HFO- 1234yf 32 1234ze 30 65 5 −28 155 38 2.5 21.4 8.5 2.22 55.8 99 37 20 65 15 −26 154 37 2.4 20.5 8.4 3.55 56.7 99 38 10 65 25 −25 153 35 2.3 19.4 8.3 4.76 57.8 98 39 15 80 5 −29 180 39 2.6 23.0 8.8 1.19 53.9 106 36 5 80 15 −27 179 38 2.5 21.9 8.7 2.69 54.9 106 37 5 90 5 −29 198 39 2.7 23.8 8.9 0.82 52.8 110 35 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R410A −30 153 40 2.7 24.2 8.9 0.06 52.5 100 33 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 152a 1234ze 65 20 15 −24 180 35 2.1 18.4 8.9 5.51 52.6 93 36 65 10 25 −24 164 34 2.2 18.4 8.5 5.92 56.0 95 39 80 15 5 −26 201 37 2.3 21.2 9.1 4.14 51.2 102 34 80 5 15 −26 185 37 2.4 21.3 8.8 3.70 54.1 104 36 90 5 5 −28 208 39 2.6 23.1 9.0 2.20 52.0 109 35

Example 4—Results for Moderate-Temperature Cooling, Comparison with HFC-134a

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R134a −5 81 50 2.4 13.2 5.4 0.00 75.9 100 54 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 134a 1234ze 5 25 70 −3 77 46 2.3 12.0 5.1 2.38 77.3 99 55 5 35 60 −3 78 47 2.4 12.3 5.1 2.22 77.2 101 55 5 45 50 −3 79 47 2.5 12.7 5.1 2.05 77.2 103 55 5 55 40 −3 80 47 2.5 13.0 5.1 1.88 77.2 105 55 5 65 30 −3 80 48 2.6 13.3 5.1 1.70 77.2 107 55 5 75 20 −3 81 48 2.6 13.6 5.1 1.53 77.2 109 55 5 85 10 −4 82 48 2.7 13.8 5.1 1.37 77.2 112 55 15 5 80 1 79 42 3.0 13.3 4.5 6.02 79.6 128 58 15 15 70 1 80 43 3.0 13.7 4.5 5.52 79.5 129 58 15 25 60 0 81 44 3.1 14.0 4.5 5.10 79.4 130 58 15 35 50 0 82 44 3.1 14.3 4.6 4.72 79.3 132 57 15 45 40 −1 83 44 3.2 14.6 4.6 4.36 79.2 133 57 15 55 30 −1 84 45 3.2 15.0 4.6 4.03 79.1 135 57 15 65 20 −1 85 45 3.3 15.2 4.7 3.71 79.0 136 57 15 75 10 −2 86 46 3.3 15.5 4.7 3.44 78.9 138 57 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R134a −5 81 50 2.4 13.2 5.4 0.00 75.9 100 54 HFO- HFC- HFO- 1234yf 32 1234ze 25 5 70 −2 73 46 2.4 11.9 4.9 2.89 78.1 98 55 35 5 60 −2 72 46 2.5 12.3 4.8 2.85 78.3 101 55 45 5 50 −2 72 46 2.6 12.7 4.8 2.75 78.5 103 55 55 5 40 −2 71 46 2.7 13.0 4.7 2.60 78.7 106 55 5 15 80 1.2 78 42 3.0 13.3 4.4 6.23 79.8 129 58 15 15 70 1.1 78 42 3.2 13.6 4.3 6.13 80.1 131 58 25 15 60 1.0 77 42 3.3 14.0 4.3 6.03 80.2 131 58 35 15 50 0.9 76 42 3.4 14.5 4.2 5.90 80.3 138 58 45 15 40 0.7 76 43 3.6 14.9 4.2 5.71 80.4 142 58 55 15 30 0.5 76 43 3.7 15.4 4.2 5.47 80.4 145 58 65 15 20 0.2 75 43 3.8 15.9 4.2 5.19 80.5 148 57 75 15 10 −0.1 75 43 3.9 16.2 4.2 4.93 80.5 149 57 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz HFC-134a −5 81 50 2.4 13.2 5.4 0.00 75.9 100 54 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 152a 1234ze 5 5 90 −3 76 45 2.2 11.2 5.1 2.32 77.1 93 56 5 15 80 −3 79 46 2.2 11.4 5.2 1.92 76.9 95 56 5 25 70 −3 81 47 2.3 11.7 5.2 1.75 76.9 98 56 5 35 60 −3 84 47 2.3 11.9 5.2 1.65 76.9 100 57 5 45 50 −3 86 47 2.3 12.0 5.2 1.55 77.0 103 57 5 55 40 −4 89 47 2.4 12.2 5.2 1.43 77.0 105 57 5 65 30 −4 91 47 2.4 12.3 5.2 1.29 77.0 106 58 5 75 20 −4 93 47 2.4 12.3 5.2 1.14 76.9 108 58 5 85 10 −4 95 47 2.4 12.3 5.2 0.97 76.8 108 58 15 5 80 1 80 42 2.9 13.1 4.5 5.61 79.4 126 59 15 15 70 0 83 43 2.9 13.2 4.6 4.89 79.1 126 59 15 25 60 0 85 43 2.9 13.3 4.7 4.54 79.0 128 59 15 35 50 −1 88 43 2.9 13.5 4.7 4.28 78.9 130 59 15 45 40 −1 90 43 2.9 13.7 4.7 4.00 78.7 131 59 15 55 30 −1 93 43 2.9 13.7 4.8 3.70 78.6 132 59 15 65 20 −2 95 44 2.9 13.8 4.8 3.37 78.4 132 59 15 75 10 −2 98 44 2.8 13.7 4.9 3.04 78.1 132 59

Example 5—Results for Moderate-Temperature Heating, Comparison with HFC-134a

HFC-37/HFC-134a/HFO-1234 ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COPc/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R134a −5 81 50 2.4 13.2 5.4 0.00 75.9 100 63 HFC- HFC- HFO- 32 134a 1234ze 5 35 60 −3 78 47 2.4 12.3 5.1 2.22 77.2 99 64 5 45 50 −3 79 47 2.5 12.7 5.1 2.05 77.2 102 64 5 55 40 −3 80 47 2.5 13.0 5.1 1.88 77.2 104 64 5 65 30 −3 80 48 2.6 13.3 5.1 1.70 77.2 106 64 5 75 20 −3 81 48 2.6 13.6 5.1 1.53 77.2 108 64 5 85 10 −3 82 48 2.7 13.8 5.1 1.37 77.2 110 64 15 5 80 1 79 42 3.0 13.3 4.5 6.02 79.6 121 66 15 15 70 1 80 43 3.0 13.7 4.5 5.52 79.5 123 66 15 25 60 0 81 44 3.1 14.0 4.5 5.10 79.4 124 65 15 35 50 0 82 44 3.1 14.3 4.6 4.72 79.3 125 65 15 45 40 −1 83 44 3.2 14.6 4.6 4.36 79.2 127 65 15 55 30 −1 84 45 3.2 15.0 4.6 4.03 79.1 128 65 15 65 20 −1 85 45 3.3 15.2 4.7 3.71 79.0 130 65 15 75 10 −2 86 46 3.3 15.5 4.7 3.44 78.9 132 65 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement %COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R134a −5 81 50 2.4 13.2 5.4 0.00 75.9 100 63 HFO- HFC- HFO- 1234yf 32 1234ze 35 5 60 −2 72 46 2.5 12.3 4.8 2.85 78.3 100 64 45 5 50 −2 72 46 2.6 12.7 4.8 2.75 78.5 102 64 55 5 40 −2 71 46 2.7 13.0 4.7 2.60 78.7 105 64 65 5 30 −3 71 46 2.8 13.4 4.7 2.41 78.8 107 64 5 15 80 1.2 78 42 3.0 13.3 4.4 6.23 79.8 122 66 15 15 70 1.1 78 42 3.2 13.6 4.3 6.13 80.1 125 66 25 15 60 1.0 77 42 3.3 14.0 4.3 6.03 80.2 129 66 35 15 50 0.9 76 42 3.4 14.5 4.2 5.90 80.3 132 66 45 15 40 0.7 76 43 3.6 14.9 4.2 5.71 80.4 136 66 55 15 30 0.5 76 43 3.7 15.4 4.2 5.47 80.4 139 66 65 15 20 0.2 75 43 3.8 15.9 4.2 5.19 80.5 142 66 75 15 10 −0.1 75 43 3.9 16.2 4.2 4.93 80.5 143 65 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie Sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement % COPc/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz HFC-134a −5 81 50 2.4 13.2 5.4 0.00 75.9 100 63 HFC-32 HFC-152a HFO-1234ze 5 5 90 −3 76 45 2.2 11.2 5.1 2.32 77.1 91 64 5 15 80 −3 79 46 2.2 11.4 5.2 1.92 76.9 93 64 5 25 70 −3 81 47 2.3 11.7 5.2 1.75 76.9 95 65 5 35 60 −3 84 47 2.3 11.9 5.2 1.65 76.9 98 65 5 45 50 −3 86 47 2.3 12.0 5.2 1.55 77.0 100 65 5 55 40 −4 89 47 2.4 12.2 5.2 1.43 77.0 102 66 5 65 30 −4 91 47 2.4 12.3 5.2 1.29 77.0 103 66 5 75 20 −4 93 47 2.4 12.3 5.2 1.14 76.9 104 66 5 85 10 −4 95 47 2.4 12.3 5.2 0.97 76.8 104 66 15 5 80 1 80 42 2.9 13.1 4.5 5.61 79.4 120 66 15 15 70 0 83 43 2.9 13.2 4.6 4.89 79.1 119 66 15 25 60 0 85 43 2.9 13.3 4.7 4.54 79.0 121 67 15 35 50 −1 88 43 2.9 13.5 4.7 4.28 78.9 123 67 15 45 40 −1 90 43 2.9 13.7 4.7 4.00 78.7 124 67 15 55 30 −1 93 43 2.9 13.7 4.8 3.70 78.6 125 67 15 65 20 −2 95 44 2.9 13.8 4.8 3.37 78.4 125 67 15 75 10 −2 98 44 2.8 13.7 4.9 3.04 78.1 125 67

Example 6—Results for a Moderate-Temperature Cooling, Comparison with R404a and R407c

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie Sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement % COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 48 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 114 56 HFC-32 HFC-134a HFO-1234ze 25 5 70 2 84 42 3.7 15.4 4.2 7.24 80.4 100 59 25 15 60 2 85 42 3.7 15.7 4.2 6.76 80.3 100 59 25 25 50 1 86 43 3.8 16.0 4.3 6.30 80.3 101 59 25 35 40 1 87 43 3.8 16.3 4.3 5.87 80.2 101 58 25 45 30 0 88 44 3.8 16.6 4.3 5.43 80.0 102 58 25 55 20 0 89 44 3.9 17.0 4.4 5.01 79.9 103 58 25 65 10 0 90 45 3.9 17.3 4.4 4.64 79.7 104 58 35 5 60 2 89 42 4.3 17.5 4.1 7.49 80.8 115 59 35 15 50 2 90 42 4.3 17.7 4.1 7.03 80.7 116 59 35 25 40 2 91 43 4.4 18.0 4.1 6.55 80.6 116 59 35 35 30 1 92 43 4.4 18.4 4.2 6.05 80.5 116 59 35 45 20 1 93 44 4.4 18.7 4.2 5.56 80.3 117 58 35 55 10 0 95 44 4.4 19.0 4.3 5.12 80.2 117 58 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-4234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie Sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement % COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 48 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 114 56 HFO-1234yf HFC-32 HFO-1234ze 5 25 70 2.4 83 42 3.7 15.4 4.1 7.44 80.6 100 59 15 25 60 2.3 82 41 3.9 15.8 4.1 7.32 80.8 102 59 25 25 50 2.2 82 41 4.1 16.3 4.0 7.15 80.9 105 58 35 25 40 1.9 81 42 4.2 16.9 4.0 6.92 80.9 108 59 45 25 30 1.6 81 42 4.4 17.5 4.0 6.59 80.9 111 58 55 25 20 1.2 81 42 4.5 18.1 4.0 6.20 80.9 113 58 65 25 10 0.8 81 43 4.6 18.7 4.0 5.83 80.9 113 57 5 35 60 2.6 88 42 4.4 17.5 4.0 7.63 80.9 116 59 15 35 50 2.4 87 41 4.5 18.0 4.0 7.40 81.0 119 59 25 35 40 2.1 87 42 4.7 18.7 3.9 7.05 81.1 122 59 35 35 30 1.6 87 42 4.9 19.4 4.0 6.58 81.0 124 58 45 35 20 1.0 87 43 5.1 20.3 4.0 6.01 80.9 125 57 5 50 45 1.9 97 43 5.2 20.8 4.0 6.88 80.9 136 58 15 50 35 1.2 96 43 5.4 21.6 4.0 6.25 80.9 138 58 25 50 25 0.4 96 44 5.6 22.6 4.1 5.43 80.8 139 57 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie Sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement % COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 48 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 114 56 HFC-32 HFC-152a HFO-1234ze 25 5 70 2 85 41 3.6 15.1 4.2 7.26 80.4 99 60 25 15 60 2 87 41 3.5 15.0 4.3 6.82 80.2 100 60 25 25 50 1 90 41 3.5 15.2 4.3 6.42 80.1 100 60 25 35 40 1 92 42 3.5 15.3 4.4 5.98 79.8 101 60 25 45 30 1 95 42 3.4 15.4 4.5 5.54 79.6 101 60 25 55 20 0 98 42 3.4 15.4 4.5 5.15 79.4 100 60 25 65 10 0 100 42 3.3 15.3 4.6 4.84 79.1 100 60 35 5 60 3 90 41 4.2 17.1 4.1 7.89 80.8 116 60 35 15 50 3 92 41 4.1 17.0 4.1 7.68 80.7 116 60 35 25 40 2 95 41 4.1 17.1 4.2 7.18 80.4 116 60 35 35 30 2 98 42 4.0 17.3 4.3 6.61 80.2 115 60 35 45 20 1 101 42 3.9 17.3 4.4 6.17 79.9 115 60 35 55 10 1 103 42 3.8 17.2 4.5 5.96 79.6 114 60 50 5 45 2 98 42 5.0 20.3 4.0 7.48 80.9 135 59 50 15 35 2 101 42 4.9 20.3 4.1 7.22 80.7 135 59 50 25 25 2 105 43 4.8 20.4 4.2 6.59 80.3 133 58 50 35 15 1 108 43 4.7 20.4 4.4 6.20 80.0 132 58 50 45 5 1 111 43 4.6 20.2 4.4 6.34 79.8 131 58

Example 7—Results for a Moderate-Temperature Heating, Comparison with R404a and R407c

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie Sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement % COPc/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 58 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 107 64 HFC-32 HFC-134a HFO-1234ze 35 5 60 2 89 42 4.3 17.5 4.1 7.49 80.8 104 66 35 15 50 2 90 42 4.3 17.7 4.1 7.03 80.7 105 66 35 25 40 2 91 43 4.4 18.0 4.1 6.55 80.6 105 66 35 35 30 1 92 43 4.4 18.4 4.2 6.05 80.5 106 65 35 45 20 1 93 44 4.4 18.7 4.2 5.56 80.3 106 65 35 55 10 0 95 44 4.4 19.0 4.3 5.12 80.2 107 65 50 5 45 2 98 43 5.1 20.6 4.0 6.86 80.9 122 65 50 15 35 1 98 43 5.1 20.9 4.1 6.30 80.8 122 65 50 25 25 1 100 44 5.1 21.2 4.1 5.70 80.6 122 65 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp T sortie Sortie sortie cond evap P cond P Taux rendement % COP/ Composition (%) évap (° C.) comp (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (p/p) Glide comp % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 58 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 107 64 HFO-1234yf HFC-32 HFO-1234ze 35 25 40 1.9 81 42 4.2 16.9 4.0 6.92 80.9 100 67 45 25 30 1.6 81 42 4.4 17.5 4.0 6.59 80.9 102 66 55 25 20 1.2 81 42 4.5 18.1 4.0 6.20 80.9 104 66 65 25 10 0.8 81 43 4.6 18.7 4.0 5.83 80.9 105 65 5 35 60 2.6 88 42 4.4 17.5 4.0 7.63 80.9 105 66 15 35 50 2.4 87 41 4.5 18.0 4.0 7.40 81.0 108 66 25 35 40 2.1 87 42 4.7 18.7 3.9 7.05 81.1 111 66 35 35 30 1.6 87 42 4.9 19.4 4.0 6.58 81.0 114 66 45 35 20 1.0 87 43 5.1 20.3 4.0 6.01 80.9 115 65 5 50 45 1.9 97 43 5.2 20.8 4.0 6.88 80.9 124 65 15 50 35 1.2 96 43 5.4 21.6 4.0 6.25 80.9 126 65 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COP/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 58 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 107 64 HFC-32 HFC-152a HFO-1234ze 35 5 60 3 90 41 4.2 17.1 4.1 7.89 80.8 104 67 35 15 50 3 92 41 4.1 17.0 4.1 7.68 80.7 104 67 35 25 40 2 95 41 4.1 17.1 4.2 7.18 80.4 104 67 35 35 30 2 98 42 4.0 17.3 4.3 6.61 80.2 104 67 35 45 20 1 101 42 3.9 17.3 4.4 6.17 79.9 103 66 35 55 10 1 103 42 3.8 17.2 4.5 5.96 79.6 103 67 50 5 45 2 98 42 5.0 20.3 4.0 7.48 80.9 122 66 50 15 35 2 101 42 4.9 20.3 4.1 7.22 80.7 122 66 50 25 25 2 105 43 4.8 20.4 4.2 6.59 80.3 121 65 50 35 15 1 108 43 4.7 20.4 4.4 6.20 80.0 120 65 50 45 5 1 111 43 4.6 20.2 4.4 6.34 79.8 119 65

Example 8—Results for a Moderate-Temperature Cooling, Comparison with R410a

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COP/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R410A −5 103 50 6.8 30.7 4.5 0.07 79.5 100 50 HFC-32 HFC-134a HFO-1234ze 65 5 30 0 107 45 5.8 24.0 4.1 5.22 80.6 100 57 65 15 20 0 108 45 5.8 24.3 4.2 4.52 80.4 99 57 65 25 10 −1 110 46 5.8 24.6 4.3 3.93 80.3 99 56 80 5 15 −2 118 47 6.3 27.5 4.3 2.83 80.0 107 55 80 15 5 −3 119 48 6.3 27.6 4.4 2.33 79.9 106 55 90 5 5 −4 126 49 6.6 29.6 4.5 1.23 79.6 111 54 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COP/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R404A −5 77 50 5.2 23.0 4.5 0.37 79.7 100 58 R407C −1 89 45 4.5 19.8 4.4 4.46 79.9 107 64 HFC-32 HFC-152a HFO-1234ze 35 5 60 3 90 41 4.2 17.1 4.1 7.89 80.8 104 67 35 15 50 3 92 41 4.1 17.0 4.1 7.68 80.7 104 67 35 25 40 2 95 41 4.1 17.1 4.2 7.18 80.4 104 67 35 35 30 2 98 42 4.0 17.3 4.3 6.61 80.2 104 67 35 45 20 1 101 42 3.9 17.3 4.4 6.17 79.9 103 66 35 55 10 1 103 42 3.8 17.2 4.5 5.96 79.6 103 67 50 5 45 2 98 42 5.0 20.3 4.0 7.48 80.9 122 66 50 15 35 2 101 42 4.9 20.3 4.1 7.22 80.7 122 66 50 25 25 2 105 43 4.8 20.4 4.2 6.59 80.3 121 65 50 35 15 1 108 43 4.7 20.4 4.4 6.20 80.0 120 65 50 45 5 1 111 43 4.6 20.2 4.4 6.34 79.8 119 65 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COP/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R410A −5 103 50 6.8 30.7 4.5 0.07 79.5 100 50 HFC-32 HFC-152a HFO-1234ze 65 5 30 1 108 45 5.7 23.7 4.2 5.78 80.5 100 57 65 15 20 0 112 45 5.5 23.8 4.3 5.37 80.1 99 56 65 25 10 0 116 46 5.4 23.8 4.4 5.12 79.7 97 56 80 5 15 −2 120 47 6.2 27.3 4.4 3.27 79.9 106 55 80 15 5 −2 124 48 6.0 27.2 4.5 3.36 79.5 105 54 90 5 5 −3 127 49 6.5 29.5 4.5 1.69 79.5 110 54

Example 9—Results for a Moderate-Temperature Heating, Comparison with R410a

HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COPc/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R410A −5 103 50 6.8 30.7 4.5 0.07 79.5 100 59 HFC-32 HFC-134a HFO-1234ze 80 5 15 −2 118 47 6.3 27.5 4.3 2.83 80.0 103 62 80 15 5 −3 119 48 6.3 27.6 4.4 2.33 79.9 103 63 90 5 5 −4 126 49 6.6 29.6 4.5 1.23 79.6 108 62 HFO-1234yf/HFC-32/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COP/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R410A −5 103 50 6.8 30.7 4.5 0.07 79.5 100 59 HFO-1234yf HFC-32 HFO-1234ze 5 80 15 −2 118 48 6.4 28.0 4.4 2.50 80.0 104 62 15 80 5 −4 117 49 6.6 29.2 4.4 1.10 79.7 104 61 5 90 5 −4 125 49 6.7 30.2 4.5 0.74 79.6 108 61 HFC-32/HFC-152a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Temp Temp evap comp T cond outlet outlet outlet evap P cond P Ratio comp % COPc/ Composition (%) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (bar) (bar) (w/w) Glide efficiency % CAP COPLorenz R410A −5 103 50 6.8 30.7 4.5 0.07 79.5 100 59 HFC-32 HFC-152a HFO-1234ze 80 5 15 −2 120 47 6.2 27.3 4.4 3.27 79.9 103 62 80 15 5 −2 124 48 6.0 27.2 4.5 3.36 79.5 101 62 90 5 5 −3 127 49 6.5 29.5 4.5 1.69 79.5 107 61

Example 10—Data Regarding the Quasi-Azeotropic Mixtures

HFC-32/HFO-1234yf/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Psat Past HFO- HFO- Temperature liquid vapor % diff in 1234yf HFC-32 1234ze (° C.) (bar) (bar) pressure 20 70 10 −5 6.4 5.9 9 28 70 2 −5 6.5 6.2 5 15 75 10 −5 6.5 6.0 8 23 75 2 −5 6.6 6.3 4 5 80 15 −5 6.5 5.9 9 10 80 10 −5 6.6 6.1 7 18 80 2 −5 6.7 6.5 3 2 86 12 −5 6.6 6.2 7 5 86 9 −5 6.7 6.3 5 12 86 2 −5 6.7 6.6 2 2 90 8 −5 6.7 6.4 4 5 90 5 −5 6.8 6.6 3 8 90 2 −5 6.8 6.7 1 HFC-32/HFC-134a/HFO-1234ze Mixture:

Psat Past HFO- Temperature liquid vapor % diff in HFC-32 HFC-134a 1234ze (° C.) (bar) (bar) pressure 80 18 2 −5 6.4 5.8 9 86 2 12 −5 6.6 6.1 8 86 5 9 −5 6.6 6.1 7 86 12 2 −5 6.6 6.1 6 90 2 8 −5 6.7 6.3 5 90 5 5 −5 6.7 6.4 5 90 8 2 −5 6.7 6.4 5 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for heating or cooling a fluid or a body by means of a vapor compression circuit comprising a countercurrent heat exchanger and containing a heat-transfer fluid, said process successively comprising the evaporation of the heat-transfer fluid, the compression of the heat-transfer fluid, the condensation of the heat fluid and the expansion of the heat-transfer fluid, in which the heat-transfer fluid is a ternary refrigerant mixture consisting of from 65 to 80% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 20 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, in which the temperature of the fluid or the body cooled is from −40° C. to −10° C.
 3. The process as claimed in claim 1, in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body cooled is from −15° C. to 15° C.
 4. The process as claimed in claim 1, in which the temperature of the fluid or of the body heated is from 30° C. to 80° C.
 5. The process as claimed in claim 1, in which the ternary refrigerant mixture consists of from 65 to 70% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 10% of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 25 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
 6. The process as claimed in claim 1, in which the ternary refrigerant mixture consists of from 65 to 70% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 10% of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 25 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
 7. A process for reducing the environmental impact of a heat-transfer equipment comprising a vapor compression circuit comprising a countercurrent heat exchanger and containing an initial heat-transfer fluid, wherein said initial heat-transfer fluid comprises a binary mixture of 50% by weight of difluoromethane and 50% by weight of pentafluoroethane, said process comprising a step of replacing the initial heat-transfer fluid in the vapor compression circuit with a final transfer fluid, the final transfer fluid having a GWP lower than the initial heat-transfer fluid, in which the final heat-transfer fluid comprises a ternary refrigerant mixture consisting of from 65 to 80% of difluoromethane, from 2 to 10% of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 20 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
 8. The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vapor compression circuit further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescent agents, odorous agents, solubilizing agents and mixtures thereof.
 9. A ternary refrigerant mixture consisting of from 65 to 70% of difluoromethane, from 5 to 10% of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and from 25 to 30% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. 